Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Schultz.
Hi Jennifer, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Becoming a doula is something I fell into organically, or maybe was led into. It wasn’t something I had even considered before a young coworker of mine became pregnant. My two sons were graduating high school, and pregnancy, birth, and babies were merely a memory at that time.
As my coworkers pregnancy progressed, questions, concerns, excitement, worries, planning, “all the things would” arose, and we would talk. I would share my experiences, things I have learned along the path of my life. It became very special, almost sacred to be able to share such a true miracle in process.
Once she had her baby, and that experience we shared had passed, I missed it. I missed the joint excitement for something a person can never entirely grasp, even after the baby is born. I still have never found just the right words to capture the experience. It is being invited into the most wonderous time, and experience in a woman’s life.
I have not made being a doula my full time career, rather I have chosen to space my clients allowing me to be fully engaged in their personal journey, and they are all so different. Not to mention, being on call is taxing, and the majority of babies do not arrive quickly, or between the hours of 9-5. Mostly though, I never want the experience to become ordinary. I never want to witness a birth without it bringing tears to my eyes, stealing my breath for a split second, or reminding me that creation is a miracle some of us are lucky enough to witness.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Because becoming a doula is something I truly wanted to do, rather than something I had to do, it has not been difficult. My sons were quite independent when I decided to become a doula, and I was at the perfect time in my life to do the work necessary to gain my certification. As I stated previously, I am a doula because I love it. Its like gardening or going to the beach, I do it because I want to. It brings me joy. That isn’t to say that it isn’t hard work, or things always turn out perfectly, but all of my experiences have had a happy ending, even when the pregnancy and/or birth does not follow the desired path the mom envisioned.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
There are a lot of doulas in the Charleston area, and they are all wonderful and unique. A few of them took me under their wing as I was starting off, and really guided me.
I would say one thing that sets me apart from some other doulas, is I truly have the ability to support the mom, and partner in what they want, and feel comfortable with regardless of my opinions or personal experiences. I have had conversations with clients that have felt an uncomfortable pressure at times with strong outside opinions on the “best” way to do things, or the “right” way to do things. That can, and does look different for each situation. I truly believe that all of the women I have worked with have wanted to do the absolute right, and best thing for their baby and new family, and that has looked different for each case. I see my role as guiding them through their personal journey, and supporting them in any way I can during that time.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
The women I have worked with have found me through my website or word of mouth. I do not often seek out clients as I am not dependent on my doula work as a primary source of income. I have been amazed by the depth of connection with the people I have worked with, and it reaffirms that the women I am meant to have this experience with will find me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://seaoflovedoula.com
